Pair of Swallows or Swifts in my out-building.

[swisstoni]

Now first of all they are cute and I'm never going to do them any harm.
BUT they are stting on everything

I'd like to persuade them to go to one of the many other suitable barns and sheds in the immediate vicinity.

What are the humane options?

[Boosted LS1]

Hosepipe?

[trickywoo]

Boosted LS1 said:

Hosepipe?

Not the best advice.

All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see Exceptions), to:

intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird
intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built
intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird
have in one's possession or control any wild bird, dead or alive, or any part of a wild bird, which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954
have in one's possession or control any egg or part of an egg which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954
use traps or similar items to kill, injure or take wild birds
have in one's possession or control any bird of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unless registered, and in most cases ringed, in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations (see Schedules)
intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.
Fines
The maximum penalty that can be imposed for an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act - in respect of a single bird, nest or egg - is a fine of up to £5,000, and/or six months' imprisonment.

[Tonsko]

We have them in the garage. We cover the rafters with old bits of carpet and ply to catch it.

[MonkeyHanger]

Cover everything up and wait until they migrate in September / October?

[swisstoni]

MonkeyHanger said:

Cover everything up and wait until they migrate in September / October?

Ok - I can live with that.

[Tonsko]

If they survive the journey, they will be back in spring

[magooagain]

When they have gone you will need to decide how to stop them next year or make it better for you and them.

Maybe build a protection shelve under the nest which can be cleaned when they leave.

They really are amazing birds and you are blessed to have them choose you.

[swisstoni]

Tonsko said:

If they survive the journey, they will be back in spring

I was thinking of hanging a large decoy bird of prey from the rafters while they are away- that would make them think a bit when they came back.

[battered]

swisstoni said:

MonkeyHanger said:

Cover everything up and wait until they migrate in September / October?

Ok - I can live with that.

Exactly this. However they WILL come back next year so over winter you need to stop them getting in or make the place un-nestable. There are anti-roost things (spiky plastic or metal jobs) that you can stick to all horiontal surfaces, or you can net the underside so they can't get to anything where they can build a nest. Do this and they will sort out another barn or tree. Leave it open and they will be back every year until they die.

[Tonsko]

magooagain said:

They really are amazing birds and you are blessed to have them choose you.

This. Swallows are ace (and I think they are. Swifts tend to nest under eaves iirc). Apart from the mess, they sound lovely on an evening.

[SAB888]

Why not wait until the birds have left and then put up some swallow/swift nest boxes on the outside of the building in the hope they will go there instead next year. Obviously try and block the entrance to the building that they've been using after they've gone.

[Ashtray83]

Is it against the law to borrow a cat to do your dirty work?

[jollysoutherner]

Nah, cats are useless

[Ashtray83]

Hahaha needs a scaffold

[battered]

Anyone would think they have learned to build their nests out of the reach of predators!

[Boosted LS1]

Tonsko said:

This. Swallows are ace (and I think they are. Swifts tend to nest under eaves iirc). Apart from the mess, they sound lovely on an evening.

I have House Martins under my eaves, 6 nests. It fantastic especially when they fledge. I look forward to their return at the end of april and see them as 'good luck' birds. Most years most of them return but I recall one year being especially short of returning birds. I once had Swallows exploring my barn but it hasn't got beams inside so nothing came of that.

Swifts like to nest in old buildings.

[Tonsko]

Ah right. That would explain the swallows in the garage, as there's beams. But still... Swifts, swallows and house Martins are all great. Worth putting up with the bird st for many times over. Personally, anyway.

[Issi]

battered said:

swisstoni said:

MonkeyHanger said:

Cover everything up and wait until they migrate in September / October?

Ok - I can live with that.

Exactly this. However they WILL come back next year so over winter you need to stop them getting in or make the place un-nestable. There are anti-roost things (spiky plastic or metal jobs) that you can stick to all horiontal surfaces, or you can net the underside so they can't get to anything where they can build a nest. Do this and they will sort out another barn or tree. Leave it open and they will be back every year until they die.

What a charming individual you are.

[battered]

Issi said:

battered said:

swisstoni said:

MonkeyHanger said:

Cover everything up and wait until they migrate in September / October?

Ok - I can live with that.

Exactly this. However they WILL come back next year so over winter you need to stop them getting in or make the place un-nestable. There are anti-roost things (spiky plastic or metal jobs) that you can stick to all horiontal surfaces, or you can net the underside so they can't get to anything where they can build a nest. Do this and they will sort out another barn or tree. Leave it open and they will be back every year until they die.

What a charming individual you are.

Eh? What is wrong with you? The OP wants to stop birds nesting in his barn, but not harm them. I give him a solution, in the form of "wait until they leave, then make the place uninhabitable or inaccessible, and they will nest elsewhere". No harm will be done to them, they will simlpy find another nesting spot. I point out that, reasonably enough, once these birds find a suitable spot, they nest in it every year for the rest of their lives, and this makes me "a charming individual", apparently.

Actually I think that it does. If my advice is followed the birds will be unharmed and will nest somewhere else in the area. The OP will have no further problems with nest and faeces removal. The birds will have a normal life of its usual length, and will be able to nest until something like a hen harrier decides that they look like a decent meal.

So what's your problem with this?

Edited by battered on Thursday 28th July 08:37